Urgent reminder for all retailers using Windows 7 RC

Microsoft Australia has contacted Appliance Retailer to send a reminder out to retailers that the Windows 7 Release Candidate will soon expire. A reported 8,000 copies of the software are currently being tested through retail channels around Australia.

From 1 March 2010, PCs using the Windows 7 RC will begin experiencing bi-hourly shutdowns and will continue for three months until 1 June 2010. After this a non-genuine experience will be triggered that removes the PCs wallpaper and displays a ‘this copy of Windows is not genuine’ message in the lower right corner above the taskbar.

Microsoft Australia is urging retailers and consumers to make plans to move to a released version of Windows 7 before the automatic shutdowns start. If this is not done, work will not be saved during the shutdown process and data loss may occur.